File No. 812.00/15758a.
The Secretary of State to Mr. Parker, representing American interests in Mexico.
Washington, August 13, 1915—6 p.m.
You are instructed to translate and immediately deliver the following message to General Emiliano Zapata and to all other prominent military and civil authorities that you can possibly reach in central and southern Mexico whom our consuls may not be able to reach.
A communication, made severally and independently, to all prominent civil and military authorities in Mexico, from the Secretary of State and the diplomatic representatives at Washington of Brazil, Chile, Argentina, Bolivia., Uruguay, and Guatemala.
Washington, D. C., August 11, 1915.
The undersigned, the Secretary of State of the United States, the Ambassadors Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Brazil, Chile, and Argentina, and the Envoys Extraordinary and Ministers Plenipotentiary of Bolivia, Uruguay and Guatemala, accredited to the Government of the United States of America, acting severally and independently, unanimously send to you the following communication:
Inspired by the most sincere spirit of American fraternity, and convinced that they rightly interpret the earnest wish of the entire Continent, have met informally at the suggestion of the Secretary of State of the United States to consider the Mexican situation and to ascertain whether their friendly and disinterested help could be successfully employed to reestablish peace and constitutional order in our sister Republic.
In the heat of the frightful struggle which for so long has steeped in blood the Mexican soil, doubtless all may well have lost sight of the dissolving effects of the strife upon the most vital conditions of the national existence, not only upon the life and liberty of the inhabitants, but on the prestige and security of the country. We can not doubt, however—no one can doubt—that in the presence of a sympathetic appeal from their brothers of America, recalling to them these disastrous effects, asking them to save their mother land from an abyss—no one can doubt, we repeat—that the patriotism of the men who lead or aid in any way the bloody strife will not remain unmoved; no one can doubt that each and every one of them, measuring in his own conscience his share in the responsibilities of past misfortune and looking forward to his share in the glory of the pacification and reconstruction of the country, will respond, nobly and resolutely, to this friendly appeal and give their best efforts to opening the way to some saving action.
We, the undersigned, believe that if the men directing the armed movements in Mexico—whether political or military chiefs—should agree to meet, either in person or by delegates, far from the sound of cannon, and with no other inspiration save the thought of their afflicted land, there to exchange ideas and to determine the fate of the country—from such action would undoubtedly result the strong and unyielding agreement requisite to the creation of a provisional government, which should adopt the first steps necessary to the constitutional reconstruction of the country—and to issue the first and most essential of them all, the immediate call to general elections.
[Page 736]An adequate place within the Mexican frontiers, which for the purpose might be neutralized, should serve as the seat of the conference; and in order to bring about a conference of this nature the undersigned, or any of them, will willingly, upon invitation, act as intermediaries to arrange the time, place, and other details of such conference, if this action can in any way aid the Mexican people.
The undersigned expect a reply to this communication within a reasonable time; and consider that such a time would be ten days after the communication is delivered, subject to prorogation for cause.
Robert Lansing,
Secretary of State of the United States.
D. da Gama,
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of
Brazil.
Edo. Suárez-Mujica,
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of
Chile.
R. S. Naón,
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of
Argentina.
I. Calderón,
Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary
of Bolivia.
Carlos Mart a de Pena,
Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary
of Uruguay.
Joaquín Méndez,
Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary
of Guatemala.
You may say to General Zapata that an identical message has been sent to General Villa and his chiefs, General Villa having previously indicated to this Government, after a conference with General Scott, his willingness to participate in such a conference.
See that Agent, Puebla, obtains a copy of message so he may distribute.
Telegraph date delivery to different State authorities.